- Marcia Grant: Division of Nursing Research & Education, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA. mgrant@coh.org
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, education, and research roles of professional nurses caring for family caregivers. DATA SCORES: Review of literature and Websites on the professional nursing role and family caregivers.
CONCLUSION: The growing number of family caregivers of cancer patients will need education and support. The professional oncology nurse is best suited to assess, teach, and support these family caregivers, as well as contribute to the evidence base of these areas of practice.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Professional nurses caring for oncology patients need to expand their role to include additional support and education of family caregivers.